Sleeve Gastrectomy

The Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery. The restriction comes from the new size of the stomach. The new smaller stomach allows a person to eat a smaller amount of food to feel satiated. No malabsorption occurs because the food is absorbed the same as before surgery. A decrease in physical hunger occurs because a large part of the stomach is removed, reducing the level of Ghrelin, a hunger-promoting hormone produced in the stomach.

What changes occur to the digestive system after Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery

The size of the stomach is much smaller.

The small stomach causes restriction of food intake

2/3 of the stomach is removed from the body at the time of surgery.

The remaining stomach is a long cylindrical tube (banana shape) that will hold about 2 to 3 ounces of food.

The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy results in the stomach’s capacity being significantly reduced, allowing someone who has undergone the procedure to feel satiated after eating much smaller quantities of food. It was originally the first part of a two stage procedure, but has proven to be effective as a stand-alone procedure. A banana shaped tube which typically can hold between 2 to 3 ounces of food is created and the remainder of the stomach is removed from the body. This resected part of the stomach is responsible for the secretion of a hormone (Ghrelin) that modulates hunger, appetite, and satiety. The Sleeve Gastrectomy also preserves the pyloric valve, the muscular area at the end of the stomach that regulates passage of stomach contents into the small intestine. Despite not having the malabsorption that occurs in the Gastric Bypass procedure, patients with a Sleeve Gastrectomy achieve almost the same weight loss results (between 55 and 75 percent of excess body weight) but without the risk of some of the major complications of Gastric Bypass patients.

Benefit

1) Improvement or resolution of 80% for Type II Diabetes

2) Improvements or resolution of 90% for Sleep Apnea

3) Improvements or resolution of 60% for High Blood Pressure

4) There are several hormones that stimulate appetite or hunger. As a direct result of the Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery one specific gut hormone level is decreased; known as “ghrelin”. The result is a decrease in hunger.

5) Restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at a meal.

6) Food that is consumed is absorbed but due to the smaller amount of food consumed vitamins supplements are required.